Billionaire Andrej Babis' party wins Czech elections
Andrej Babis's populist ANO party won Czech parliamentary elections but lacks a majority. He must negotiate alliances to form a government.
Andrej Babis wins Czech elections
ANO party receives nearly 35% votes
Next, Babis will seek coalition partners
Coalition needed for majority government
Relations with potential partners may be tense
Babis rules out EU membership referendum
Former prime minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement topped the 3–4 October parliamentary vote with 34.5 percent, securing 80 seats in the 200-member Chamber of Deputies. ANO remains 21 seats short of a majority and must form alliances to govern.[1]
Election Results and Party Breakdown
Preliminary official results report:
ANO: 34.5 percent, 80 seats (up from 72 in 2021).[1]
Spolu (centre-right coalition): 22.0 percent, 50 seats.
Pirates and Mayors (liberal alliance): 12.0 percent, 28 seats.
Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD): 7.8 percent, 15 seats.
Motorists for Themselves (Motoristé sobě): 6.8 percent, 13 seats.[1]
Coalition Prospects
President Petr Pavel is expected to formally invite Babiš to discuss government formation this week. To reach the 101-seat majority, ANO needs support from both SPD and Motorists. Babiš prefers a minority ANO cabinet backed by confidence votes rather than a full coalition agreement.
Policy Alignments and Divergences
ANO and Motorists share opposition to the EU’s 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles and resist higher energy costs for households. SPD’s collaboration with fringe far-right groups complicates predictability, and Babiš has ruled out any referendum on EU or NATO membership, contrary to SPD’s platform.
Czech Military Aid to Ukraine
Since early 2024, the Czech Artillery Initiative has delivered roughly 3.5 million large-calibre shells to Ukraine. Babiš described the scheme as lacking oversight and pledged to transfer procurement responsibilities to NATO structures. He has not proposed ending Czech support but seeks more direct state control over deliveries.[2][3]
Campaign Rhetoric and Alliance with Europe
Babiš criticized the outgoing government for prioritizing foreign aid over domestic welfare, though no direct slogan has been verified. He assured EU and NATO partners of ANO’s commitment to Western alliances, citing his government’s cooperation during 2017–2021 as evidence of reliability.[4]
Next Steps
Babiš must present a governing proposal to the president and secure a confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies. Talks with SPD and Motorists are set to begin immediately, with deadlines governed by constitutional timelines for forming a government.
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